The Daughters of Varda
Chapter One: The Legend of the Daughters of Varda
It was the darkest night when the King Elessar visited his school on the outskirts of Rammas Echor. The school was where young boys, and some young girls, went to be trained in battle. The rambling buildings were in the open, quite vulnerable really, yet Elessar truly believed that no-one could get to it, for they would be seen for miles, and would have to get through Osgiliath first.
Golasgil was reading when a knock came on his door. He called for the person to enter, and watched curiously as a dark, hooded, cloaked figure slipped into the room. He frowned, about to ask who it was, when he recognised the green stone on the figure's breast. 'My Lord! King Elessar! To what do I owe your presence?' A twinkling smile spread across the hidden features. 'Why else? I come to see how the students are progressing. Who are your best? Young Bergil?' 'Nay, Your Highness, you shall not believe it. Do you remember the three sisters that came to us seven years ago?' 'Aye,' murmured Aragorn, frowning. Three incredibly beautiful young sisters had appeared at the school, with no recollection of their pasts, save their names and ages. 'How well are they doing?' 'Well, my lord, Anoria, the eldest, now nineteen years, excels in archery. She has the quickest draw and best aim of all I have seen, save yourself and the Prince Legolas. Ithilia, the second, now eighteen, is superb at sword-fighting –a match for even you, my lord, I am sure. And Elennia, the youngest, just gone seventeen, is superb with her spear and knife-throwing. All three are tops in riding, for leisure, commanding and attack.' 'Hmm. What about the axe?' 'They are not so efficient, I think they dislike the weapon, but as in all things they are skilled.' 'Well...I shall return on the morrow, with my good friends Legolas and Gimli in tow. And I think we may be getting a visit by Elrond and his sons soon too.' And the King vanished.
Dawn saw the King, riding openly now, coming down from Minas Anor. Beside him upon Arod rode Legolas, the Prince of Mirkwood and Ithilien, and Gimli, Lord of Aglarond. There was much delight as those of the school readied themselves for the assessment.
First of all the King stood in the field and wielded Andúril against his best students. He soon found that his closest match was Ithilia, who was tall, lovely and very pale. She had long, blonde hair and silver eyes. Legolas frowned. Was that a slight silver glow?
Next they had spear and knife-throwing. The best by far was Elennia, a pretty, slender girl with blonde hair and silver eyes. Once again, Legolas found himself wondering if there really was a slight white glow about her.
Lastly they had archery. The best in class shot with Legolas in a competition. At the end only Anoria was left. Like her sisters, she was tall, slender and lovely. Unlike them, however, her skin was a pale gold. Her hair was red-gold, and her eyes an earthy brown. She seemed to have a bright gold aura. Legolas sighed, wondering if he was seeing things.
That evening, he sat, enthralling the young humans with the elvish legend, the Daughters of Elbereth, or Varda.
'This is the legend of the Daughters of Elbereth, whom in the West is named Varda, the Star-kindler. She is the Queen of the Valar, and the wife of Manwë. She bore him three daughters. The eldest loved the light, and often basked in the sunlight. So she came to be known as the Princess of the Sun. The second daughter loved the moon, and often spent much time out at night, staring at the moon. Hence she became the Princess of the Moon. And the third daughter, the youngest, loved the stars, and took after her mother in all ways of the stars. Since Varda was Queen of the Stars, her youngest daughter became the Princess of the Stars. One day, it is said, the three sisters will come to Arda, Middle-Earth, to banish the Darkness of Sauron forever. It is said that they will choose three Guardians for their journey into the Black Land from the royalty of the elves. The Sun-Guardian will be mortally wounded, but he will be healed by the hands of the High King of the Elves of the West, who shall finally be revealed. After they banish the darkness, they will stay in the East, and they will wed. The Princess of the Sun will marry a Prince of the Sindar, and she will bear him the Twins of Light. The Princess of the Moon and the Princess of the Stars will both marry Noldorin Princes born in the same year. The Princess of the Moon will bear the Child of Laughter, while her younger sister will bear the Twins of Night. And when their husbands weary of the East, they will be permitted to sail to Valinor itself, where the Valar will revere them and they will dwell in peace.'
Over the next few days, Legolas became friendly with the sisters. Then on the fifth night, the hobbits, Elrond and his sons came to stay with Gandalf. Pippin that evening called for Legolas, whom they had never heard sing accompanied, to sing for them. Legolas sighed, picked up his harp, struck a tune, and began a song of sorrow and grieving. He sang of his mother, Lasanor, beauty of Mirkwood and pride of Thranduil and who had died, poisoned by Sauron. Now he sang in Westron, now in Sindarin, his voice swelling, deepening and heightening, and ended with a final wish to Varda to give him love, else he would go to Mordor alone, fight Sauron and try to destroy him, or die in the attempt. Not a single eye in the crowd was dry when he finished his song, and his own eyes were bright with unshed tears.